Lower Zambezi Valley & National Park, South Luangwa National Park
Overview
10-day (9-night) safari entirely dedicated to nature and wildlife, taking you deep into two of Africa’s most beautiful and game-rich national parks: Lower Zambezi National Park and South Luangwa National Park. This unforgettable mobile safari offers unparalleled opportunities to immerse yourself in the wild, with incredible sightings and diverse landscapes at every turn. To suit different preferences and travel styles, the safari is offered at two distinct levels of comfort, ensuring a personalized and memorable adventure for every traveler.
THIS SAFARI IS PARTICULARLY INDICATED TO VISITORS WHO WANT TO ELEVATE THEIR GAME-VIEWING EXPERIENCES TO THE NEXT LEVEL BY VISITING THE MOST RICH AND DIVERSE NATIONAL PARKS IN AFRICA WITH A PERSONALISED SERVICE AND EXTREMELY COMPETENT GUIDES.
Highlights
- Available at two different comfort levels: “Camping” and "Lodging".
- Boat Cruise and Game Drives in Lower Zambezi National Park
- Game drives and Night Drives (optional Walking Safaris) in South Luangwa National Park
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Lusaka international airport, you will be welcomed by your guides and assisted in final preparations (local SIM card, forex, etc.) before your Safari starts. Short transfer across town and check-in at Sandy’s Creations, a beautiful accommodation immersed in wonderful gardens with two swimming pools, bars and restaurants. Dinner in Lusaka not included.
The Lower Zambezi Valley is renowned for its breath-taking views and for the abundance of wildlife that lives along the shores of the Zambezi River. This valley hosts both the Lower Zambezi National Park (on the Zambian shores) and Mana Pools National Park (on the Zimbabwean shores) creating a vast protected area where animals are free to roam without boundaries. This area deserves to be visited both by river and by land in order to fully understand the wild beauty of this place. Lower Zambezi National Park is the most recent park in Zambia and one of the wildest and most picturesque in the whole Africa.
Departure after breakfast and reach your accommodation after approximately 4 hours (130km tarmac road + 60km gravel). Set up camp in a fantastic campsite by the Zambezi river at Elephant Crossing Safari Bushcamp and lunch prepared by our accompanying chef. Afternoon River Safari / Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Dinner by the campfire prepared by our accompanying chef and night camping.
Alternatively: Lodging options available from 3* to 5*
Wild Camping in an unfenced, high-density elephant area with no electricity nor running water, bush toilets and bucket showers
Wake up and sunrise breakfast.
Full-day Game drives in the Lower Zambezi National Park with pic-nic lunch in the park and return by sunset.
Dinner prepared by our accompanying chef. Night camping.
Alternatively: Lodging options available from 3* to 5*
Wild Camping in an unfenced, high-density elephant area with no electricity nor running water, bush toilets and bucket showers
Wake up and sunrise breakfast.
Full-day Game drives in the Lower Zambezi National Park with pic-nic lunch in the park and return to the lodge by sunset.
Dinner prepared by our accompanying chef. Night camping.
Alternatively: Lodging options available from 3* to 5*
Wild Camping in an unfenced, high-density elephant area with no electricity nor running water, bush toilets and bucket showers
Sunrise breakfast and return transfer to Lusaka. Along the way you will visit to a local school and/or the Chirundu Fossils Forest heritage site. Upon arrival you will check in at Wild dogs Lodge (or similar), in the northern part of Lusaka and have a free leisure afternoon. Dinner in Lusaka not included.
Very early wake and sunrise breakfast at 05.00 at the lodge. At 05.30 a.m. our Minibus or Mobile Safari Vehicle will pick you up to start a transfer to Mfuwe – South Luangwa National Park (700km of tarmac road – approximately 11 hours). Lunch break along the way depending on time (e.g. traditional Zambian meal at a local tavern).
Mfuwe is the closest village from where to access South Luangwa National Park. Even though it is very close to such an internationally acclaimed attraction, it still maintains the spirit and looks of a traditional Zambian village.
Arrival in Mfuwe expected in the afternoon and continue to your Campsite (SEASONAL: APRIL, DECEMBER: Campsite in Mfuwe, in an equipped area with facilities – toilets and showers. MAY TO OCTOBER: Wild Camping in the Nsefu Sector, in an unfenced wilderness area – the remote wilderness site has no electricity, has bush toilets and bucket showers and offers the most authentic wilderness experience in the valley) where you will spend the next three nights with all meals prepared by the accompanying cook and all game viewing activities done by our resident guides on board of our vehicles Dinner prepared by your accompanying chef.
Night Camping.
Alternatively: 3* to 5* Lodging options available
SEASONAL: APRIL, DECEMBER: Campsite in Mfuwe, in an equipped area with facilities – toilets and showers. MAY TO OCTOBER: Wild Camping in the Nsefu Sector, in an unfenced wilderness area – the remote wilderness site has no electricity, has bush toilets and bucket showers
South Luangwa National Park is the most famous of National Parks is Zambia due to the abundance of wildlife and the great opportunities to spot large predators. In addition to a large population of felines (mostly leopards and lions), it is home of a large number of elephants, hippos, buffaloes and numerous endemic species such as Thorncrofft giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeests, Crashway’s zebras. The Luangwa River has the highest concentration of hippos per km2 in the whole Africa and offers great reproduction and hunting ground for many animals, such as fish eagles, jackals, hyenas, crocodiles and countless birds. Sunsets on the Luangwa River are unforgettable experiences and the visit to this National Park is consider one of the highlights for any true Africa lover.
During your stay, you will have 2 game drives per day OR a full-day Game drive with pic-nic lunch inside the National Park. All meals prepared by our accompanying chef. Nights will be camping around the fire.
Alternatively: 3* to 5* Lodging options available
SEASONAL: APRIL, DECEMBER: Campsite in Mfuwe, in an equipped area with facilities – toilets and showers. MAY TO OCTOBER: Wild Camping in the Nsefu Sector, in an unfenced wilderness area – the remote wilderness site has no electricity, has bush toilets and bucket showers
During your stay, you will have 2 game drives per day OR a full-day Game drive with pic-nic lunch inside the National Park. All meals prepared by our accompanying chef. Nights will be camping around the fire.
Alternatively: 3* to 5* Lodging options available
SEASONAL: APRIL, DECEMBER: Campsite in Mfuwe, in an equipped area with facilities – toilets and showers. MAY TO OCTOBER: Wild Camping in the Nsefu Sector, in an unfenced wilderness area – the remote wilderness site has no electricity, has bush toilets and bucket showers
Early wake and sunrise breakfast. At 06.00 a.m. you will start off to Lusaka using the same road as per the way there. Lunch break along the way in a local tavern for a traditional Zambian meal. Arrival in Lusaka expected before sunset.
OPTIONAL:
Domestic Flight: Domestic flight to Mfuwe (1 hour). At arrival, you will be welcomed by our guides and transferred to your accommodation.
Accommodation at Wild Dogs Lodge (or similar) in a en-suite chalet. Dinner in Lusaka not included.
Breakfast at the lodge and free morning. Depending on the time of your international flight, you will be taken to the airport. End of arrangements.
Rates
The Rates Include:
- All accommodations indicated in the itinerary, with the specified arrangements
- All meals specified in the itinerary
- Vehicle, fuel, certified professional local guide (English speaking), chef
- All Park Entry fees
- All game-viewing activities specified in the itinerary
The Rates Exclude:
- International flights
- Alcoholic beverages
- Visas
- Activities not offered by African View Tours and Safaris and not specified in the itinerary / specified as “optional”
- Personal comprehensive insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips (Tips are not compulsory, but always welcomed. We suggest: 5 US$ per day per person /couple for the chef, 10 US$ per day per person /couple for the local guide, on discretion for the international guide, when present)
- Anything not stated under “standard inclusions”
FAQs
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
